San Dimas High students perform at Wildlife Art Show

Spreading a message of environmental awareness, more than a dozen students from San Dimas High School's drama class performed at the "Living Wild" Wildlife Art Show on Oct. 21.

"The students have chosen to perform from a standpoint of educating about conservation and what we've done to our earth," said Kelly Kocalis, the high school's drama adviser.

The performance, which ranged from poetry recitations to an interpretive dance set to a mashup of Michael Jackson songs, was geared toward engaging the youngest viewers.

The Wildlife Art Show, now in its 16th year, featured work from 18 professional artists Oct. 20 and 21 at the San Dimas Civic Center Plaza, 245 E. Bonita Ave.

Art by Bonita Unified students in kindergarten through eighth grade also was on display at City Hall.

The high schoolers had performed at last year's art show and were invited back to give another presentation, Kocalis said. Drama club president Kim Spriggs choreographed the dance, which featured senior Julius Taylor and freshman Leann Noel.

"Our dancers have never done contemporary-style dancing before, so it was different from what they're used to," Kim said.

The message was personal for the San Dimas junior, though.

"I'm actually a vegetarian because of how animals are treated," Kim said.

"I got my family to start recycling four years ago... the environment is something I'm very aware of."